TWO WEDDINGS AND A FUNERAL

Dear Friends in Christ:

Our vacation time in New England was marked by Jan’s mother’s funeral, the wedding of the daughter of a woman who has been Jan’s friend since they were in 2^nd grade, and the wedding of one of our daughter’s friends from church camp. All three wonderful celebrations were opportunities for us to reflect on how we are connected to others across time and space.

On the way home from New England, Jan and I stopped at Saint Mary’s Cemetery in South Glens Falls to visit the graves of my father and his parents. I never knew my father – he and my mother separated when I was barely two – nor did I know his father. I did get to see his mother once of twice after my father’s death. She was a sweet person, a devout Roman Catholic, and I am thankful that her well-prayed-with rosaries were handed on to me after her death. I did not attend their funerals and had never visited their graves. After Jan and I placed flowering plants on their graves, we prayed,

 Remember your servants Charles and Sarah and Charles according to the favor which you bear to your people; and grant, increasing in knowledge and love of you, they may go from strength to strength in the life of perfect service in your heavenly kingdom; through Jesus Christ our Lord.  Amen.

We are all bound together in God’s love, not only with people we know, but with all of God’s people across time and space. When I think of those who have gone before, I like to think of them as our cheering section, loving us as they did in this life, hoping and praying for the best for us, for the fullness of life which is Christ’s gift to us.

Within two weeks I will be on my way to the Episcopal Divinity School for my sabbatical. I ask that you keep me in your prayers that this may be a time of learning and spiritual renewal for me. I ask that you keep Mother Frieda, Deacon Polly and the members of the Vestry in your prayers as well that these months may also be a time of growth for this parish community. There will be opportunities for you to minister in new ways during the sabbatical and I pray that you will find joy in sharing more deeply in the ministries which we share here at Saint Matthias Church.

Your brother and priest,

Daniel